Heat for float type waterer.

[sisquilts]

We have a 3 1/2 Gallon Harris Farms (Water Fountain) plastic check valve type waterer for our flock. I bought a bird bath heat element for a nipple waterer which we are not using. Has anyone had experience to know if this will this placed in reservoir keep the tray open? Last year I tried Farm Innovators Heated Poultry Waterer Base which we still have. Tray stayed clear of ice however reservoir seemed to stay frozen at the top.

 

[Pyxis]

I have the big 5 gallon version and last winter I just used an aquarium heater in it and it worked well.